Local privilege escalation via dpe use-after-free
Published Jan 6, 2026 · Updated Jan 6, 2026
Use-after-free memory corruption in MediaTek dpe on MT6899 and MT6991 chipsets running Android 16 allows local users to elevate privileges. The bulletin identifies dpe as the locus but does not disclose which object is freed or which subsequent operation dereferences it. Exploitation requires prior System privilege and user interaction; successful exploitation grants higher local privileges on the affected device.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free memory corruption in MediaTek dpe on MT6899 and MT6991 chipsets running Android 16 allows local users to elevate privileges. The bulletin identifies dpe as the locus but does not disclose which object is freed or which subsequent operation dereferences it. Exploitation requires prior System privilege and user interaction; successful exploitation grants higher local privileges on the affected device.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-20804
- Published
- Jan 6, 2026
- Updated
- Jan 6, 2026
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-416, T1404
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 6, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jan 6, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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What is affected?
Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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